Cabrera suffers a New injury

Miguel Cabrera has had to deal with a slew of minor health-related issues this season. His latest problem involves his right ankle.Cabrera re-aggravated a right ankle injury Wednesday night when he slid into home plate while trying to score on Victor Martinez's RBI double in the first inning.

Cabrera was spotted grimacing when he got to his feet, and limped back to the dugout. He remained in the game until he was replaced at first base in the ninth inning.

"It's not the first time it's happened," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday. "It flares up from time to time and a lot of times, when he slides, it reaggravates it."

Ausmus labeled the ankle issue as a "small concern," but said Cabrera, who been receiving daily ice treatments, has been dealing with the injury for a long time."It's popped up a handful of times," Ausmus said. "It goes a little ways away."

Cabrera missed time with a right ankle sprain in late August in 2012. It's unclear if the two ankle injuries are related. As a precaution, Ausmus tabbed Cabrera as the designated hitter Thursday, marking the 14th time this season Cabrera has been the DH this season. For now, he isn't expected to miss any time, but the Tigers will continue to monitor it.

"There are days when he feels better than others," Ausmus said. "So on those days when he doesn't feel as great, we're going to try and maybe DH him."

Cabrera has been hobbled by a handful of minor bumps and bruises this past week. He jammed his left thumb against the Seattle Mariners last week, and was hit on the elbow by a pitch from Felix Hernandez the following day. He's also still in the process of healing from offseason surgery to repair a torn groin.